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This listing is for a lovely 19th Century French Paris Exposition souvenir calling card tray with nine (9) eglomise medallions decorating the body of the tray. The eglomise scenes depicted in the small medallions include famous Paris tourist attractions including the Place de Bastille, Pantheon, Place de la Concorde and two views of the Arc de Triomphe. The medallions are all set in brass bezels with glass covers and beaded borders with a large eglomise in the center. The tray sits on four very decorative feet connected with a textured brass cord. There are ring handles on each side.
Measures 2 1/2" high, 6 1/4" wide (handle to handle) with center tray measuring 5 3/4" in diameter. The smaller medallions measure 1 1/2" in diameter with the eglomise being 1" in diameter and the center eglomise measures 2" in diameter. Weighs 4.1 ounces.
This unusual souvenir tray is in very good condition with no noted flaws to the frame. The eglomise medallions are in very good shape with clean views although there is minor damage in the background to the left of the image in the center medallion with slight crazing in the design. There is also a faint white speck/flaw in the sky in the medallion above the center medallion. The brass frame has naturally aged patina. Please view all photos as part of description. Although we consider the overall condition of the tray to be very good and the presentation is very attractive, the tray is over 100 years old and it does reflect normal wear commensurate with age. Please view all photos as part of this description.
Novelty items such as this calling card tray were popular at shops on the Palais Royal when wealthy travelers visited Paris during the Grand Tour era and were often purchased as souvenirs. Many eglomise items haven't survived in good condition and nice examples are getting hard to find.
Eglomise is a French term referring to the process of applying a design and gilding onto the back of a glass panel to produce a mirror finish. However, the technique of reverse painting on glass actually dates back to pre-Roman eras. Over time, the term eglomise has come to be used to describe nearly any process that involves reverse painting on glass.
We at Antiques & Moore have been in the Antiques business for over 30 years and try to describe our items as accurately as possible. Although all sales are considered final, if there is an error in our description or a problem with our item, we will issue a full refund of the purchase price if contacted within 3 days after receipt of the item, however, please note that we cannot refund shipping charges. We are happy to answer any questions and always appreciate your business!